Weight-bearing CT of the patellofemoral joint and its link to knee pain

Assessing the Association Between WBCT PFJ Morphological Metrics and Knee Symptoms

Observational University of Kansas Medical Center · NCT07472088

See if specific weight-bearing CT measurements of the patellofemoral joint relate to symptoms in adults with patellofemoral pain or symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment36 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Kansas Medical Center Academic / other
Locations1 site (Kansas City, Kansas)
Trial IDNCT07472088 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational project uses weight-bearing CT (WBCT) scans taken at 0° and 20° of knee flexion to quantify patellofemoral joint (PFJ) morphological metrics. Adults with either isolated anterior (PFJ) pain or symptomatic knee osteoarthritis will complete symptom and function assessments and undergo WBCT imaging. Investigators will compare imaging-derived structural measures to reported pain location, severity, and function to identify PFJ features associated with symptoms. Key exclusions include bilateral total knee arthroplasty, pregnancy, and inability to stand safely for the scan.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18 or older with anterior knee (patellofemoral) pain or symptomatic knee osteoarthritis who can safely stand for weight-bearing CT and provide informed consent are appropriate candidates.

Not a fit: People with bilateral total knee replacements, those who are pregnant, or those unable to stand safely for the WBCT scan are unlikely to benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help clinicians target treatments to specific patellofemoral structural problems and improve symptom-focused care.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have linked PFJ morphology to pain, but using weight-bearing CT at functional knee angles (0° and 20°) is relatively novel and less well characterized.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18
* Knee pain, falling into either of the two groups, i.e., PFJ pain (pain only in the anterior region of the knee) or symptomatic knee OA (pain in any other area of the knee, including the anterior region)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Bilateral total knee arthroplasty
* Pregnant
* Unable to stand safely for 2 minutes with support
* Any condition that the investigator identifies as inappropriate for participation (e.g., unable to participant in consent process, unsafe to stand on WBCT platform, etc.)

Where this trial is running

Kansas City, Kansas

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Knee OsteoarthritisPatellofemoral Painpatellofemoral jointknee osteoarthritisweight-bearing CT
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.